By Bob Peryea
Correspondent
The Land Rover Tri Rock Lake Geneva Triathlon was delayed by fog, but eventually kicked off. The event was sold out with more than 1400 participants and was attended by hundreds of spectators.
With water temperatures around 70 degrees and air temperatures around 50 degrees thick fog shrouded Williams Bay. Competitors, spectators and race organizers waited for the sun to burn away enough fog that rescue personnel would be able to see swimmers.
When the announcement that the race would start cheers were heard in the water, on land and on the boat that serves as the Williams Bay Municipal Pier.
The countdown began and at the sound of “one” the horn on the boat blew sending swimmers out into the waters.
The race consisted of the three separate events, each with three separate stages. The longest, the intermediate “Olympic” event involved a 1500-meter swim, a 28-mile bike ride and 6.2 mile run. The other events, a sprint and a super sprint, were shorter and started later.
As is evident, Triathlon training and participation can be one of the most challenging endeavors for anyone, testing physical and mental stamina and pushing them to the brink. It could be considered a once-in-a-lifetime feat for those who actually make it through. Those attempting it no doubt have been preparing for years and have likely attempted many triathlons before this one.
The 2012 triathlon marks the first year that the event has involved Tri Rock, a national race sponsor that coordinates races in San Diego and Austin, and will have one in November in Clearwater, Fla.
Zach Barhhorst of Competitor Group, a sponsor of Tri Rock, said, “This is a beautiful venue. We run events in San Diego, Austin, Annapolis and New York. Williams Bay/Lake Geneva is unique.”
In prior years, Frank Dobbs, a local legend in the race community, coordinated the event. “We worked very closely with Frank. He has a great com-munity reach and local support,” Barnhorst said.
One of the competitors, Chris Hubbard of Chicago, said that the most memorable part for him was “one particular house I remember a few kids cheering for us and offering runners who passed by free water from their makeshift water stand. The little kids were excited to help the runners in their quest to complete the final stretch of their race.”
Because the race starts so early, getting out of bed early is a requirement. Another competitor, Bert Margis, recognizes the importance of a great support team. “I am one lucky guy to have a fiancée that is willing to get up at 4:30 a.m. to cheer me on.”
Nell Shuttleworth, 34, of Buffalo Grove, led the women with a time of 2:38:36, followed by Katie O’Connor, 24, of Chicago, with 2:39:33 and Martha Kelly, 37, of Mundelein, Ill., with 2:42:05.
The man with the best time is Ben Culver, 36, from Elgin, with a time of 2:15:02. Second place for the men was Jeffrey Fleig, 43, of Onalaska with a time of 2:17:06. Fleig was followed closely by Christopher Schmidt, 38, of Evanston, Ill. with a time of 2:18:29.
Barnhorst emphasizes the community aspects of the race over the competition. “We try to facilitate an atmosphere of participation rather than strictly competition. This race is for the talented amateur, beginners and seasoned pros.”
Racers and organizers are looking forward to the 2013 event.
Complete race results can be found online at: http://trirock.competitor.com/results/
